The all new using what you have from your Freezer, Cupboard or Shed (Barn)

Cherryfudge

carinjo said:

I'm afraid the marmalade didn't work. Not only did it not set, i ended up burning it too. Had the same issue with gooseberry jam last year, so think will have to have a rethink before attempting jam making again. Maybe a better pot? Using a regular large saucepan.

I hate it when I get burnt stuff, and it seems such a waste but these things happen. I wonder if you heated it too quickly? That could mean the bottom bits scorched. Then it could be that you didn't do the rolling boil thing for long enough, but I am really good at making jam that doesn't set, so I daren't offer advice there. Warming the sugar beforehand is supposed to help it dissolve more easily. Do you use a jam thermometer? I don't think it's essential, but it's useful.

The pan could be the culprit too - I have a couple of copper-based pans that I use for marmalade (though I generally cheat and use the stuff that comes in a tin) and I divide the mix between them. That has the added advantage that if something goes wrong with one, the other may still be all right! Also, I think it's easier to control two 4 pint pans than one great big one, but maybe that's just me.

I'd be worried about a lovely heavy pan like a Le Creuset for jam, because once they're heated they are such good conductors of heat that I think I might burn things. Similarly, a lightweight pan might conduct heat too fast, even if you stir it conscientiously.

I'm a fan of copper based pans! They heat quite quickly and evenly.  I researched decades ago when I was compiling a list of suggestions for our wedding presents, and I think I made a good choice. The set we were generously given lasted about thirty years and did sterling service, and I've gradually replaced them with similar.

Better luck next time (says the woman with a fridge full of pourable marrow jam).

Cherryfudge

Ellie79 said:

Been a bit MIA as not been well. Had to do a food shop (expensive but stocked up on chicken and a few other useful things for the freezer). So far we are eating a lot out the freezer and cupboards. So much so the chicken etc went straight in a nearly empty freezer drawer. Meal plan is looking good and I've gone 70% veggie. Tonight was a Sunday dinner, leftovers fir my dd's tea tomorrow, OH will take a portion of lasagne out of the freezer and I'll be having Scrambled eggs on toast post my exercise class. I made lentk dahl which is now frozen and will be used later in the week. Also made soup from some bendy veg- portion of that for my lunch tomorrow. 

I have 2 tins of condensed milk and I'm wondering what to make. My usual is a caramel shortbread but trying to diet.. any other ideas? 

You are sounding very organised, @Ellie79. I hope you're feeling better, but working through the freezer when you aren't well shows lots of self-control.  

I'm completely ignorant of things to make with condensed milk that don't pile on the pounds - are there any? Perhaps you could make caramel shortbread to give as gifts this Christmas?

Ellie79

Thanks @carinjo, fudge, of course! Great idea. Oldest dd's birthday this week, I'll get on it. Thank you.!

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
We have lamb chops, new potatoes, cabbage and gravy for tea ( easy tea cos it was supposed to be yesterday’s but DS2 couldn’t come at the last minute ) as it’s already prepared. So we had cauliflower cheese with a couple of sausages ( wierd concoction but very nice and really easy) I’ve been having a tired couple of days, when I’m feeling really well I tend to do too much and then take days to recover so I had a long nap in the afternoon so went for an easy option.
Later in the week I’m going to attempt lasagne in the slow cooker so I’ll let you know how that turns out, my DIL makes a lovely one so I’ll give it a try. 

Anyway time to get on
Have a good day 

MrsStepford

I have a two year old venison shoulder in the chest freezer. I bought it from a local game dealer online for £10. Didn't expect it to be so big. Too big to defrost in fridge, too big for the oven, too big for the slow cooker and too big to go in food waste bin. Only thing I can think of to do with it, is to take the plastic off and get husband to take to the wild area of the local park, where the foxes hang out. 

carinjo

I would have a go at defrosting on kitchen counter and getting the husband to take an axe to the shoulder! Can't imagine how big it must be to not fit in oven @MrsStepford!

rtandon27

Another option if you have a traditional butcher nearby is to ask if they would defrost it for you in their big walk in fridge and then butcher it for you into the pieces you could use a bit more easily. - They might charge you a small fee but would save the hassle of dealing with it yourselves!

carinjo

Out: pack pork loin steaks, allotment purple beans and potatoes. Yesterday, extra course bulgar wheat to go with chicken.
In: 1/2 a large pack of chicken thighs. Ms C made chicken ciaccatore in slow cooker yesterday while i had a nap before work

Wraithlady

I really should try and update this more often:

Out: Cows-milk cheese for OH for lunches, last year's brack from Bothams, bagels, meatballs, chocolate brownie, sausages, Spag Bol, beef & barley stew
Out-then-in: 1 kg stewing beef made into SC curry, 1 tub eaten, 1 in freezer
In: 1 kg gammon, 2 x 1 kg diced lamb shoulder, belly pork, 3 different bracks from Bothams, 1 Yorkshire parkin (bought but never eaten), turkey steaks, chapattis, 2 bags of 10 chicken wings

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
We are having leftover lasagne for lunch  (there’s not quite enough so we’ll have a bread roll with it)
As we are both off sick at the moment we’re getting up later and only having breakfast if we’re hungry.
Tonight is chicken from the freezer made into fajita’s as now I’ve more energy I’m enjoying cooking. 

I only needed bread and milk yesterday but picked up some ys bread and some offer bread, which was 3 for £3 and will keep us going for a while.